The Milwaukee Bucks are gaining momentum and appear to be serious title contenders after securing the NBA Cup championship against Oklahoma City.

Led by Giannis Antetokounmpo and Damian Lillard, the Bucks have triumphed in 13 out of their last 16 matchups, although the Cup title game is not included in official standings.

Currently the hottest team in the NBA, Milwaukee has ascended in the Eastern Conference to fifth place, just 1½ games away from third-place New York, and has entered the top six of the YSL News Sports NBA power rankings due to recent successes.

Below are the power rankings following the NBA Cup (records and statistics are current as of games played on Dec. 18, with championship odds provided by BetMGM):

NBA Power Rankings

1. Cleveland Cavaliers (23-4)

The Cavaliers currently hold the best record in the league.

• Championship odds: +1300

2. Boston Celtics (21-5)

With an impressive average of 19 successful 3-pointers per game, the Celtics are on track to break the record for most 3s in a season, previously held by the 2020-21 Utah Jazz (16.7 per game).

• Championship odds: +225

3. Oklahoma City Thunder (20-5)

The Thunder leads the league in net rating, averaging a lead of 12.1 points per 100 possessions over their opponents.

• Championship odds: +400

4. Memphis Grizzlies (18-9)

The Grizzlies are distinguished as the only team ranking in the top six for both offensive and defensive ratings.

• Championship odds: +3000

5. Dallas Mavericks (17-9)

Luka Dončić is having a standout season, recording a career-high average of 2.1 steals.

• Championship odds: +1200

6. Milwaukee Bucks (14-11)

Antetokounmpo and Lillard together form the most prolific scoring duo in the league, averaging 58.4 points per game.

• Championship odds: +2000

7. Houston Rockets (17-9)

Seven Rockets players contribute an average of at least 10 points each, with Jalen Green leading at 19.0 points per game, closely followed by Alperen Sengun at 18.6 points per game.

• Championship odds: +4000

8. New York Knicks (16-10)

Karl-Anthony Towns is excelling in rebounding, leading the league with an average of 13.9 rebounds per game, setting a potential new career high (previous best was 12.4 in 2018-19).

• Championship odds: +1100

9. Orlando Magic (17-11)

The Magic have a strong defensive presence, averaging the most blocks in the NBA at 6.9 per game.

• Championship odds: +4000

10. Miami Heat (13-11)

The Heat have secured victories in four out of their last five games, including wins against notable teams like the Los Angeles Lakers, Phoenix Suns, and Cleveland Cavaliers.

• Championship odds: +6600

11. Minnesota Timberwolves (14-11)

Anthony Edwards is increasing his shooting volume from beyond the arc, boasting a career-high 42.4% success rate on 3-point attempts.

• Championship odds: +2500

12. Denver Nuggets (14-10)

Nikola Jokic is having a stellar season, averaging 30.9 points, 13.3 rebounds, and 9.9 assists per game while shooting 55.8% from the floor.

• Championship odds: +1600

13. Phoenix Suns (14-11)

With Kevin Durant in the lineup, the Suns have an impressive record of 13-2.

• Championship odds: +2200

14. Atlanta Hawks (14-13)

Acquire Dyson Daniels from New Orleans in the offseason, he is currently leading the league with an average of 3.0 steals, while his teammate Trae Young leads in assists per game at 12.1.

• Championship odds: +12500

15. Golden State Warriors (14-11)

The Warriors rank second in the league for rebounds per game, averaging 47.8, with seven players contributing at least 4.3 boards each.

• Championship odds: +1800

16. Los Angeles Clippers (15-12)

James Harden currently sits 17th on the NBA’s all-time scoring list and is on track to surpass legends like Tim Duncan, Dominique Wilkins, Oscar Robertson, and Hakeem Olajuwon by the end of this season.

• Championship odds: +10000

17. Los Angeles Lakers (14-12)

The Lakers are among the top teams in terms of free throws made (18.8 per game) and in attempts (24.1 per game).

• Championship odds: +4000

18. Sacramento Kings (13-14)

De’Aaron Fox of the Kings ranks ninth in the league for points per game (26.2) and is fourth in clutch scoring during the final five minutes of games (4.3 points).

The score remained within five points.

• Championship odds: +10000

19. San Antonio Spurs (13-13)

Victor Wembanyama, the center for the Spurs, is currently leading the NBA with an average of 3.5 blocks per game.

• Championship odds: +25000

20. Chicago Bulls (12-15)

The Bulls rank sixth in the league for points per game at 118.9, which is on track to set a new franchise record.

• Championship odds: +100000

21. Indiana Pacers (12-15)

Tyrese Haliburton is putting up an impressive assist-to-turnover ratio of 4.2 assists for every turnover this season.

• Championship odds: +12500

22. Detroit Pistons (11-16)

Cade Cunningham of Detroit is currently the only guard in the league averaging at least 23 points, 9 assists, and 7 rebounds per game.

• Championship odds: +100000

23. Brooklyn Nets (10-16)

The Nets have an impressive ranking, sitting fourth in 3-point shooting percentage at 38.5% and fifth in 3-pointers made each game with an average of 15.4.

• Championship odds: +100000

24. Philadelphia 76ers (8-16)

In a game against Charlotte on December 16, Tyrese Maxey became the fourth player in 76ers history to achieve at least 40 points, five rebounds, five assists, and four steals in a game, joining the ranks of Julius Erving, Charles Barkley, and Allen Iverson.

• Championship odds: +5000

25. Toronto Raptors (7-20)

The Raptors have suffered nine losses by a margin of five points or fewer, with six of those being by three points or less.

• Championship odds: +100000

26. Charlotte Hornets (7-19)

The Hornets have endured 10 losses in their last 11 games.

• Championship odds: +100000

27. Utah Jazz (5-20)

The Jazz currently have the worst defense in the league, conceding an average of 120.7 points for every 100 possessions.

• Championship odds: +100000

28. Portland Trail Blazers (8-18)

The Blazers are on a six-game losing streak and have won just two of their last 12 games.

• Championship odds: +100000

29. New Orleans Pelicans (5-22)

The Pelicans are among three teams that have only celebrated one victory on the road this season.

• Championship odds: +50000

30. Washington Wizards (3-21)

The Wizards sit at the bottom of the league in offensive rating, scoring just 103.7 points for every 100 possessions, which falls well behind the top team averaging 120.6 points.

• Championship odds: +100000